16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardNo comma between two or-joined clauses

Standard English Conventions practice question

Nobody knew where the key ____ or who had used it last.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. wasCorrect
  2. B. was,
  3. C. was;
  4. D. was:

Answer: A. was

The two clauses after knew are joined by or and need no punctuation between them.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. was,
A comma separates the two objects of knew.
C. was;
A semicolon leaves a fragment after it.
D. was:
A colon leaves a fragment after it.

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